Andrew runstetler



(No Model.)

A. RUNSTET-LER.

\ v CORN PLANTER'.

No. 308,042. Patented Nov. 11, 1884.

Jae/Tenant e/ZYMTeZu-EIQMQZZGY! me-a4 UNrrn -rarns ANDREW RUNSTETLER, or DAYTON,

: Aren't OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE FARMERS CORN-PLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part-of Letters Patent No. 308,042, dated'November 11, 1884-.

Application filed May 13. 1884. rNo modcl.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW RUNSTETLER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oorn Planters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of cornplanters which employ a main frame mounted on ground carrying -wheels, to which is hinged a front runner-frame which is elevated and depressed by lever mechanism.

The object of my invention is, first, to provide a yielding spring-coupling for h'inging the lever mechanism (which is pivoted to the main frame) to the runner-frame.

A second object of my invention is to provide improved lever mechanism for depressing the runner-frame by the use of a handlever alone or by a combined hand-and foot lever, and to elevatethe machine by a footlever attached to the hand-lever, so that the hand-lever may be moved by the feet alone or by both the hand and foot of the operator acting together, as circumstances may require, all of which is fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan view of my improvement; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the lever and coupling devices; Fig. 3, a front elevation; Fig. 4,a broken rear elevation of the hand-lever and foot-rest; Fig. 5, a section'on line y y, Fig.2; Fig. 6, a front elevation of the coupling-arm. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the couplingbrackets.

A A represent the side rails of the main frame 5 D, the axle on which the groundwheels are journaled; E, a seat-standard rig idly secured to' the axle.

F represents a segmental bracket provided with flanges e for bolting it firmly to axle D. It is preferably centrally attached to the axle,

I so as to be nearly in line with the center of the runner-frame.

a a represent notches cut in the edge of the segment.

H represents a stud on which is journaled 50 the bell-crank hand-lever J.

b c (I represent looking devices attached to lever J for looking it to the segment F, and in such a manner as to allow the lever to be set'in any desired position. i

. 9 represents a link for holding the lock out of engagement with the notches a of the segment when the machine is to be used as a yielding planter. Y

K represents the forward arm of the bellcrank lever J, to the front end of which the runner-frame is coupled.

between which the hounds L are bolted, so as to form a firm journal-support for the coupling M.

0 represents a seat or chair rigidly secured to arm M, on which the lower end of a spiral or coiled spring, P, rests. The forward end of bell-crank lever J is projected through slot m of arm M. I

p p represent guidepins passing through bell-crank arm K, to hold the coupling M in position.

R represents a cap which is pierced with a hole to pass over thearm M,and forms a seat for the upper end of spring P. It is provided with an annular lip or flange, r, so as to form a bearing for spring P. The spring P. forces cap R up against the arm K of the bell-crank lever, but it slides freely on the coupling arm M, so as to allow a yielding movement of the hound L and rear end of runner frame under the pressure exerted through the bell-crank lever, to hold the runner-frame down to its work.

- I do not wish to limit myself to details of construction of yielding coupling devices herein shown for hinging the lifting and depressing lever to the runner-frame, as this yielding spring movement of the runner-frame may be obtained in very many ways analogous to these devices and still secure the same results.

This form of coupling the lifting-lever of the main frame to the runner-frame is very important, as it removes a serious difiiculty hitherto experienced in the locking of the runnerframe to the main frame. It prevents the runners from being depressed too deep'into' the ground in mellow soil. It allows the runnerframe to conform in a great degree to the inequalities of the ground. The spring takes up jolts agd jars occasioned by running over varying oil or when striking substances inthe ground.

B represents a foot-rest and pushing-piece. It is adjustably secured to lever J by means of a set-screw, s, as shown in Fig. 5, sothat it may be raised or lowered upon the arm of lever J. This piece B is adapted to be used as means: for depressing the runner-frame by the feet of the operator.

In order that the driver may use his feet to" lift the runner-frame either alone or in coni the rearmain frame,.the driversseat, tliepi'vjunction with the hand, I provide the supplemental lever S, which is attached tothe hand-lever J, preferably near its upper end. It projects through a mortise, T, in the seat- I claim- 1. In combination with the main frame of a corn-planter, a lifting-lever pivoted to the 50 main frame and hinged to the front runnerframe by means of a yielding spring-coupling pivoted to the runner-frame, substantially as herein set forth.

2. The combination, in a corn-planter, of

' acting on the coupling-arm and on the lever, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the rear main frame and the front runner-frame of a cornplanter, of the hand-lever J, provided with-the foot-piece B and the forwardly-extending arm K, and a spring-connection: between the'arm and the runnerframe, substantially as de scribed.

4. The combination, in a corn+planter, of

oted hand-lever arranged in advance of the seat and provided with the foot-piece B andi projecting arm- K, extending forwardly in li'ne with the lever, and: a loose' connection between the front end of the arm and the-runt represents a friction-roller journaled at ner-frame, substantially as described.

the bottom of mortiseT, to allow lever S to i 5. In combination with the hand-lever J",

slide back and forward freely. }the supplemental lever S, projecting rear standard, which thus acts as a guard for lever S.

U representsa foot-piece placed on: the rear end of. lever S, so that the operator may, by applying his weight thereto, elevate or assist in elevating the runner-frame.

I do not wish to limit myself to the exact form 1 @mortise T, and foot-lever S,the friction-roller- 't,for supporting and guiding the lever S-,-sub- ';stantially as herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto-set my hand. but the form here shown I deem the simplest So, also, foot-lever J may be con- 1 of construction of foot-lever S herein set forth.

The seat-standard may be changed in its location and other means-used to guide lever S. So, also, the lever may be rigidly secured to lever J, and be made straight instead of curved,

and best.

neeted to the runnerframe by ordinary connecting mechanism instead of the yielding coupling here sh own.

wardly under the-seat of the operator,.whereby the hand-lever may be drawn backward by the feet of the operator for operating therunnenframe, substantially as described.

6. In combination with the seat-standard-E,

ANDREW RUNSTETLER.

\Vi tnesses:

CHARLES F. (Dorms, GEORGE O. WARRINGTON. 

